No-idle signs give good reminder
by Melanie Forster, Air Quality Program, Southwest Regional Office
Many of us know that unnecessary engine idling pollutes the air
and wastes fuel. But we all could use a friendly reminder, even Department of
Ecology employees whose job is to protect our environment. “No-Idle Zone” signs
have recently appeared in Ecology's parking areas. You may have seen similar
signs outside schools or other areas with frequent pick-ups and drop-offs. These
signs remind drivers to turn off the engine if parked for more than 30 seconds.
Why do we need no-idle signs? After all, most of us know the
common-sense things to do to keep our cars in good condition and promote
fuel-efficient driving. Or do we?
Test yourself with this short quiz:
1. Which of these practices generally burns the most gas?
a. Stopping and restarting a car's engine.
b. Running a car's engine at idle for more than 10 seconds.
c. They use the same amount of gas.
2. True or False: The vast majority of vehicles should have their engines warmed up before driving to help
them run more efficiently.
3. True or False: Today's cars are so much cleaner than in the past, the amount of pollution they emit
when idling is not significant.
4. True or False: Frequent starting and stopping of your car can cause wear and tear on the car's starter.
5. In very cold weather, you should:
a. Warm your car up by idling for at least five minutes.
b. Never warm your car up by idling, even to defrost the windshield.
c. Start and stop your car several times intermittently in place of idling to warm it up.
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
Answers
1.
B: For most cars, running a car's engine for more than 10 seconds burns more gas
than stopping and restarting the engine. The idea that restarting the engine
burns more fuel than letting the engine idle is a common myth.
2.
False: Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of vehicles do not
need to “warm up” before being driven. This may have been true for older
vehicles (prior to late 80s/early 90s model years), but modern vehicles with
fuel injection do not need to warm up before driving.
3.
False: Even today's cleaner cars still emit harmful pollutants like
oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and toxic substances including benzene and
PAHs. The wasteful burning of fossil fuel from idling also generates carbon
dioxide (CO
2), contributing to climate change. Pollutants in vehicle
exhaust contribute to a whole host of health problems, including lung diseases
like asthma and emphysema, and cardiovascular problems like heart attack and
stroke.
4.
False: The California Energy Commission has found that turning off the
engine when the vehicle is stopped for more than 30 seconds has little to no
effect on the life of the starter. Excess fuel use and reduced engine life from
idling would cost more than any additional starter replacement costs.
5.
E:
None of the above! Here in the Pacific Northwest, we rarely experience
temperatures extreme enough to require much heating and air conditioning. Sure,
it can be cold when you first get in your car, but it's not going to heat up
any faster while you wait around in the parking lot. In fact, the vehicle's
heater works more efficiently when you are driving. But use common sense; you
may need to idle a little bit to defrost the windshield. Don't jeopardize your
safety by driving a vehicle with frosty windows. Starting, stopping, and
restarting your car isn't going to do the trick in that situation! In the
summer, rolling down the windows before getting in the car will let excess heat
escape. Again, if you're sitting in the vehicle anyway while you wait for the
AC, you might as well be driving.
The bottom line
By now, you've probably realized you're not doing your car any
favors by idling. Because an idling engine is not at optimal operating
temperature, it does not combust fuel completely. This leads to residue
buildup, decreasing the life of your engine.
Reducing idling is so easy to do, but has big payoffs—cleaner air
and more money in your wallet! When you pick up your coffee at a drive-through,
turn off your engine to save gas—and your barista's lungs. If you drop off or pick
up children at school, it's especially important to turn off your engine since
children's developing lungs are more sensitive than adults' to the harmful
pollutants in vehicle exhaust.
Do yourself and everyone around you a big favor – turn off your engine
if you will be idling for more than 30 seconds.
Read more about
Clean Cars in Washington State.
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